marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 8, 2013 14:09:46 GMT 11
Hi all, first off: congratulations to the owners and users of this forum. What a great idea this is. My name is Marty and I am interested in getting a Leaf. I life with my wife and two kids in a house in the melbourne eastern suburb of Bayswater. I was raised in Germany so high petrol prices, recycling and basically being environmentally conscious was fed to me with the breast milk   I ended up here taking a detour through endless-sphere.com while looking into Stealth bomber electric bikes. I have taken a test drive with an Imiev and looked at a Leaf in the flesh at Blackburn Nissan. Booked test drive on Saturday, so kind of excited about that. Also read on here about this cloudnine.com.au deal to book a test drive for three days. Well worth the $149 I guess? Anyway, would be interesting to have a chat with some owners on a personal face to face level to see what ownership is really like? Is there any gatherings upcoming or would someone be interested to kick this off? There is a nice little restaurant called "Tosaria" www.tosaria.com.au/ in Henderson Rd just off Kellets Rd in Rowville that has a big car park to park the cars in and have a chat and coffee.... I surfed the net and looked at plenty of youtube videos on the subject of Leaf ownership, but most were from the states, so probably not 100% relevant to ownership in Oz. I suppose like everyone converting from ECE to Battery I am concerned about range and how long the batteries last? Is there any advise on how to treat the battery to get the maximum life out of it (I read about keeping them between 20 and 80% and avoid fast charging)? Anywho, keep up the good work and I would love to get advise, tips and feed back from seasoned EV owners  |
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Post by Phoebe on Aug 8, 2013 14:39:46 GMT 11
Hi Marty, Welcome to the Forum. I think the Cloud Nine experience would be a good start for you since you are in Melbourne. Some of our members are in Melbourne but I am not one of them, being in Maitland in the NSW Hunter Valley. A number of your queries have been discussed in other threads in this forum. Range varies tremedously on how you drive, our members have reported anywhere from 90 kms to 160 kms, with our different driving styles. None of us have personal experience of battery life being an issue yet, as no-one has had their LEAF much more than 12 months. Some do use fast chargers for conveience. Some do charge up to 80 % to try to preserve their batteries. Very hot weather is supposed to be bad and we have several days over 40 Degrees Celcius here in Maitland every year, so I am waiting to see if this affects my battery life. I found the LEAF much more substantial than the iMiev, safer in an accident amd that contributed to my decision to purchase. I believe more LEAFs have sold that any other electric car world wide so that is some insurance for their future. Have a test drive and let us know how you like it  |
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marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 8, 2013 14:48:09 GMT 11
Hi Phoebe,
thanks for the fast & warm welcome.
I read that the updated 2013 model will have a heat pump rather than electric resistance heater and more boot space?
I also noted that none of the aussie delivered models seem to have the heated seats/steering wheel option?
I kinda like the idea of getting int a toasty seat and liked that with the Imiev as the heater didn't do anything in the 20 or so minutes I drove it...
Easily done as retrofit for the seats I guess, but for steering wheel?
Are there people on here that bought their cars second hand?
Does anybody know what happened to the cars that "better place" had?
Would be nice to snap one up on the cheap at auction when they liquidate their assets?
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Post by Phoebe on Aug 8, 2013 14:54:21 GMT 11
Tim Watts, who runs Cloud Nine, used to work for Better Place, whose CEO was my son Evan. As far as I know Better Place only had one LEAF and one iMiev, but Tim could tell you what's happened to them. He may have them at Cloud Nine.
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marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 8, 2013 15:01:07 GMT 11
Oh, interesting. Small world for EV people....
Better watch what I'm saying ;-)
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Post by Jim Hare on Aug 8, 2013 15:28:24 GMT 11
Welcome again Marty! No need to watch what you're say, Phoebe has heard it all, plus she's one tough lady! ;-)
Jim
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Post by Jim Hare on Aug 8, 2013 15:34:11 GMT 11
As for getting the most life, yes, the 20/80 rule and trickle charging rather than fast charging certainly help. None of us have experienced any battery problems at all.
I personally found that the area I live in, which is quite hilly, reduces my range per charge, but hasn't had an effect on the battery health, still get full marks during the rare and cheap servicing.
I can't recommend the LEAF enough. We absolutely love ours and wouldn't trade it for anything.
You're looking at it at a very good time, the prices are coming down quickly and as more manufacturers join the EV race I think we'll see even more competition.
The LEAF is gorgeous!
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marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 8, 2013 15:41:24 GMT 11
Hi Jim,
and thanks for your welcome, as well ;D
Do you have any thoughts on this:
I read that the updated 2013 model will have a heat pump rather than electric resistance heater and more boot space?
Worth waiting for?
I also noted that none of the aussie delivered models seem to have the heated seats/steering wheel option?
I kinda like the idea of getting int a toasty seat and liked that with the Imiev as the heater didn't do anything in the 20 or so minutes I drove it...
Easily done as retrofit for the seats I guess, but for steering wheel?
Are there people on here that bought their cars second hand?
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Post by Jim Hare on Aug 8, 2013 15:45:54 GMT 11
Hi Marty,
Heat pump sounds like a good idea. The current heater works great and is quick, but eats up battery range.
I don't have an interest in heated seats. Had them in my old car and never used them. I certainly wouldn't want to pay extra for them so as long as Nissan only bring in one model of the LEAF, I think they made the right choice.
I've never seen a LEAF second hand. All the owners I know are over the moon so I guess it would be from somewhere like the former Better Place.
Have you seen any second hand?
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marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 8, 2013 16:23:44 GMT 11
Hey Jim, well, I suppose they are more like dealer demos:  www.carsales.com.au/demo/details/Nissan-LEAF-2013/AGC-AD-13583718/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1Had a serious look at this one in Sydney/Liverpool Nissan Vehicle 2013 Nissan LEAF ZE0 Reduction Gear Price $34,990 Drive Away No More to Pay Kilometres 1,216 Colour Brilliant Silver Sounds like a good deal? Alistaire the sales dude even wanted to do the same finance as the special they are running on new stock with the $10k down and $85/week on a 1.9% comparison rate.... www.nissan.com.au/Offers/OffersI am just not sure if I am ready. I do have other cars to fall back on, but the missus is sceptical to say the least   |
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Post by Phoebe on Aug 8, 2013 16:52:43 GMT 11
I'd want to know why they are selling it  The 2013 LEAF hasn't arrived yet, has it  That's only 5 grand off the latest new price - I'd want another 5 grand off the price because batteries wear out  They cost so little to run, your wife should be impressed with that. I guess she can't drive that one but get her to test drive one in Melbourne - they are a lovely car to drive - not too big but will hold both your kids and the groceries in the boot |
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Post by leafboi on Aug 8, 2013 16:52:54 GMT 11
Marty!
Another Melbourne LEAF is exactly what we need.
I agree with Jim about the heater, the one we have is fine although it may chew through the battery a little quicker. The estimated range gain on the updated LEAF with the heat pumping is somewhat minimal, certainly not significant enought I would have thought to 'hold out' on purchasing at a GREAT price now verses what will the updated model be priced at..?
And like you I think the heated seats would have been a no brainer for us here in Melbourne at least. I was in my friends BMW 120i the other day with heated seats and it was so much better than heat blowing at me. But oh well never mind.
So anyway, I'm in Melbourne, as there are a few of us here on the forum, I'm south western suburbs myself. Drop me a private msg if you wanted to discuss 'meeting up', any chance to dribble on about EVs, green power, sustainability, blah blah blah I wouldn't miss. LOL.
Chris,
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marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 8, 2013 17:28:13 GMT 11
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Post by leafboi on Aug 8, 2013 17:49:09 GMT 11
When do you have the car?
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Post by eburbsleaf on Aug 8, 2013 20:23:14 GMT 11
Hi Marty
I bought mine from Blackburn Nissan (coming up to a year old now) and was happy with their service then so can recommend.
I think the test drive will have you smitten - but the Cloud 9 experience will let you get a real taste for it day to day.
As long as your eyes are open on the range and lack of towing - then its an absolute delight of a car. It has all the premium bells and whistles in a compact. Its comfy and silent.
To your point about the heated seats and steering wheel - the car heater isn't the quickest, but as the car doesn't let a lot of air flow through if the fan isn't on - it feels like it heats relatively quickly with people in it. The wheel hasnt felt that cold on mine this winter - so I dont think id use a steering wheel heater. Heated seats - I could see the benefit, but its a bit of overkill for a car in a climate that doesnt really get too cold.
Im in Nunawading just down the road.
Enjoy cloud 9. I spoke with them last week to give them another real-world leaf owner story for their newsletter.
I'm an 80% charger a couple of days a week. 100% when I need a long journey. such as Frankston there and back. Ive done down to Philip island and charged it for the return at the holiday house (you may want to think about a cable that can serve as your just in case you are somewhere you cant get a industrial socket for the supplied charger).
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Post by duncan on Aug 8, 2013 21:38:45 GMT 11
welcome to the forums Marty.
Re the heat pump model, that is global My13, I am not sure if they are in Oz, or when they might be. My strong suspicion is that they have a heap of 2011 build plate models sitting around that they need to shift first....
To me heating isn't an issue in Oz. Unlike a normal car the leaf heater blows hot straight away (I am in Canberra with a normal car at the moment, and the damn heater can't even blow warm air for the first 5 min). Also you can set a climate control timer so that the car is already warm when you get in it in the morning.
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Post by David on Aug 8, 2013 21:42:52 GMT 11
I add my welcome Marty. I predict that your only problem after the 3 day test drive will be the time you might have to wait to get your own leaf!
As for heating, not sure if you are aware that you can turn the heating on via a phone app when the car is plugged in. So it is toasty warm when you start and I find I don't have to heat it for the 20min drive after that
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Post by Feng on Aug 8, 2013 22:11:25 GMT 11
Re the heat pump model, that is global My13, I am not sure if they are in Oz, or when they might be. My strong suspicion is that they have a heap of 2011 build plate models sitting around that they need to shift first.... Welcome to to forums Marty. I can vouch for Duncan's comment about Nissan getting rid of old stock: I got my LEAF in mid-June this year and it was an April 2012 build. It's not a big deal as long as the battery checks out fine. The only issue we had was some tarnish from weathering on the chrome trim and the black plastic on the bonnet. Both of which could be polished off. |
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marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 8, 2013 22:51:05 GMT 11
Hi Tony,
good stuff. You're around the corner.
So you made it to the island now worries?
I was thinking of maybe doing the trip when I have the CloudNineCars Leaf for the three days....
Did you have to bring in the Leaf for service and how did that go and what do they actually do?
Do you have a fixed price service agreement of some sort?
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Post by Brian on Aug 13, 2013 0:46:48 GMT 11
Yes, Marty, with your time in Germany, I can understand your concern about heating. But I didn't think Melbun got that cold - just wet . . . Canberra maybe.  Did you know that with the car plugged in to the charge point, you can set the timer to bring the heater on at sufficient time before you get into the car to bring the whole interior up to the temperature you want ? You can either set this on the car's timer, or remotely from your smart phone. By heating while plugged into the mains, it saves the batteries. One owner uses this technique, and finds that he then doesn't need to use the heater whilst driving, thus preserving his range. Alternatively, move to W.A., where I have never needed to use this facility |
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Post by Brian on Aug 13, 2013 0:51:53 GMT 11
Yes, there is a fixed service price sheet. i.e. 10K kms $88, 20K kms $255, 30K kms $88.
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marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 13, 2013 19:00:11 GMT 11
Hi Brian,
I would love to move to WA and work in he mines ad make a killing or something ;-)
But when you are say on the way back from the shopping centre you can't plug in and pre heat the vehicle?
I read they tested and found it is more efficient to just heat the seats and steering wheel. Especially in the back to make people feel comfy.
Trust me, I have been in Melbourne for 13 years now and some mornings or afternoons I would have loved that in any of my cars for instant cosiness :-)
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Post by Brian on Aug 15, 2013 0:21:07 GMT 11
Marty, hopefully your shops will soon have charge points, so that your car can be warmed up for you while you shop |
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marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 15, 2013 11:05:12 GMT 11
you won't believe how cold today feels over here....
I have the space heater going full blast under the computer desk.
Maybe I have just gotten soft.
I do remember winters in Berlin where we had wind blowing from the east and -20C but didn't remember feeling this cold.....
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Post by duncan on Aug 15, 2013 20:39:44 GMT 11
grab a blanky for your knees grandma?
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Post by jamesfongster on Dec 30, 2015 22:34:38 GMT 11
Hi all, just dropping note that I'm another Melbournian Leafer (taking delivery tomorrow)! Keep me posted on any Melbourne gatherings in 2016!
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The 2013 LEAF hasn't arrived yet, has it 
That's only 5 grand off the latest new price - I'd want another 5 grand off the price because batteries wear out 
They cost so little to run, your wife should be impressed with that. I guess she can't drive that one but get her to test drive one in Melbourne - they are a lovely car to drive - not too big but will hold both your kids and the groceries in the boot 
